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"We love the way it brings energy efficiency, environmental concern and the comfort of homeowners toether," says Christopher Wein, president of Great Gulf Residential. The builder is a partner in the launch of Canada's Active House Alliance. (Torben Eskerod)

Denmark's Prince Frederik will be in Toronto this week to help launch Canada's Active House Alliance. (Dreamstime image)

Imagine a house that makes you feel good. A house filled with fresh air, natural light and big, open spaces.

Now zoom in on skylights that close themselves when it rains; temperature, ventilation and humidity levels that change with the touch of a finger; and a light, airy basement where children can play in comfort on the warm floor.

Factor in planet-friendly, energy-efficient features and you’ve got an “active house.”

Canada’s first such home — part of an architectural movement that began in Europe — was built in Thorold, Ont., last year by home builder Great Gulf. More are just around the corner as construction begins on half a dozen models in Etobicoke.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, Great Gulf will launch Active House Alliance Canada, a branch of the founding group based in Belgium.

Among the special guests at the launch ceremony in Toronto will be Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, in Canada on a trade mission. Prince Frederik has a special interest in climate change and sustainability — his country is recognized as a global leader in achieving balance between energy performance and user comfort in residential buildings.

“If we work together, combining Danish experience and innovation with Canadian skills and entrepreneurship, we can provide strong solutions to the world,” he says on the trade-mission website, From Denmark to Canada.

The international Active House Alliance, whose partners include architects, designers, developers, researchers and manufacturers, aims to create healthier, more comfortable buildings without causing a negative impact on the environment.

“The single-family home hasn’t had that much innovation for the past 25 years,” says Christopher Wein, president of Great Gulf Residential.

The active house, which alliance partners would like to see multiply on a global scale, represents a big advancement, he says.

“We love the way it brings energy efficiency, environmental concern and the comfort of homeowners together,” says Wein, citing its three principles.

The concept is to create a healthy, indoor living space that is practical and beautiful — and, of course, Earth friendly. Great Gulf’s 3,200-square-foot prototype was the result of more than a year’s research and development by a top-notch team that included Danish architects and Toronto architecture firm Superkül.

The use of natural light from strategically located windows and skylights — little or no artificial light is required during the day — really defines the house’s true character, according to the developer.

Daylight is “absolutely critical to human life,” says Tad Putyra, president of Great Gulf’s lowrise division. He adds active house design and construction is intended to improve occupants’ emotional, mental and physical well-being.

“This house is a holistic solution to everything that is around us,” he says, crediting the Scandinavian-inspired design with mood-boosting, stress-busting qualities.

An automated, programmable system opens and closes windows, skylights and blinds, directing maximum daylight and natural air currents where they’re needed.

The abundance of windows and interior spaciousness, enhanced by double-height ceilings and glass railings, means “there’s nowhere you feel confined, and you can always see outside from wherever you are,” says Putyra, who shepherded the project. “It feels like outdoors. It really feels amazing.

“We should feel better in our house than anywhere else because we spent 90 per cent of our time indoors,” he continues. At the same time, we are still outdoor creatures at heart, hence the need to “bring lots of outdoor into the house.”

The house also boasts plenty of privacy while still putting family members “instantly in touch,” Putyra says.

The building looks, feels and operates like a larger house, according to the developer. In fact, it gives you more of everything — living and storage space, natural light, flexibility, ergonomics and value — but in a smaller footprint. To boot, homeowners can expect to save about 50 per cent on operating costs, Putyra says.

Unwilling to hang a price tag on the house, Wein says a 2,600-square-foot model would cost about the same as a traditional 3,000-square-foot house. (Last month, the Toronto Real Estate Board reported the average sale price of a detached home in the 416 area code was $902,428.) Great Gulf wants to make active houses “as affordable as possible” for future buyers, he adds.

Their second active house is already underway in Etobicoke, to be followed soon by a series of models designed by a variety of architects for a different look and feel.

The product’s real performance test will come after the Thorold family moves in this fall, Putyra says.

But just knowing they’re doing their part to live lightly on the planet will be a good feeling to come home to.

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